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High-tech plan to transform internet connectivity in Inverness


By Andrew Dixon

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INVERNESS is included in a list of locations set to benefit from a technology firm’s £2.5 billion investment plan to improve connectivity.

CityFibre, a provider of wholesale full fibre infrastructure, named 14 towns and cities set to join its “Gigabit City Club”.

The business is already investing in each location and adds more than one million homes and businesses to the million already covered by the 12 Gigabit Cities previously announced.

Inverness MP Drew Hendry said: “The Gigabit City steering group, which I chair, has been working to realise this cutting-edge high-speed fibre connectivity over the past few years and this will ensure we make significant progress towards that objective.

“As well as transforming internet connectivity in our public buildings, our business community and local residents will also benefit from this cutting-edge infrastructure investment. The potential for Inverness really is enormous through improved productivity, inward investment and innovation.

“Instead of following, we will be at the forefront of the digital opportunities and that is certainly cause for celebration.”

Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson said: “We are delighted to see Inverness confirmed as part of CityFibre’s national full fibre roll-out.

“Digital infrastructure, fit for the 21st century, is critical to Inverness’s future – a city-wide roll-out of full fibre from CityFibre will ensure we have the best possible platform in place.

“The full roll-out builds on work led by the council on an ultra-fast network for the public sector.

“Full fibre delivers the potential to transform how we communicate, the way we live and work, it will drive economic growth and innovation and help our communities and businesses thrive in a rapidly changing world.”

SCDI regional director Fraser Grieve said: “This is a fantastic investment in our digital infrastructure that not only connects key public sector sites but will enable businesses to benefit in future.

“Access to high-speed full-fibre networks will be transformational for these communities, making them digital leaders and no longer lagging behind other towns and cities in the country.

“As more and more services are delivered online, and reliant on strong data connections, investment like this is increasingly important if we are to drive up productivity and support job creation.”

CityFibre chief executive officer Greg Mesch said: “CityFibre’s sole purpose is to deliver the future-proof digital infrastructure the UK deserves.”

Inverness MSP Fergus Ewing said: “This investment is basically in infrastructure, and this does all take time to survey, plan, design, build, connect, and activate.

“The laying of fibre also requires significant works to be carried out.

“I hope this can be accomplished as quickly as is practicable, as that is in everyone’s interests.”


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